Stormwatch

PINEVILLE – A wanted fugitive and his
alleged accomplice are behind bars following a weekend burglary in Wyoming
County.

James Paul Bertka, 23, of Lynco and Dannie
Ray Hicks, 23, Junior of Oceana are each charged with daytime burglary.

Sheriff's deputies said Bertka is also
wanted in Arkansas for breaking and entering, and skipping parole.

Several items were taken during the
burglary Saturday at a house on Laurel Branch outside of Oceana, according to
deputies. The victim called 911 after reportedly catching Bertka in his house
and seeing him flee the scene. When officers arrived, they caught Hicks at the
scene and arrested him.

Officers ran Bertka's information in
the NCIC Database and found out that he was wanted, according to deputies. Authorities
located and arrested Bertka after getting a tip overnight that he was staying
in Lynco. The arrests were a joint effort between the Sheriff's Department and
Oceana Police.

Bertka and Hicks are in Southern
Regional Jail. Hicks will have an extradition hearing sometime in the near
future to determine if he will be sent back to Arkansas.